Fanning mill



Jul 8, 1924.

sqHlcK FANNING MILL G. SCHICK FANNING MILL Jul .1 1924,

Filed Oct. 29 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 G. SCHICK FANNING MILL Jul 8 1924.

Filed 001.. 29, 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 vlllllllllllllllllll'lllllllllm Patented July 8, 1924.

UNITED} STATES GOTTFRIED SCI-IICK,

OF TAMPA, KANSAS.

FANNING MILL.

Application filed October 29, 1921. Serial No. 511,317.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GOTTFRIED SoHIcK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tampa, in the county of Marion and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fanning Mills, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in fanning mills and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character including a rotary screen into which is discharged grain to be separated and wherein novel and improved means is provided for vibrating the screen during its rotation and which vibration particularly serves to prevent clogging of the screen.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character including a rotary screen, together with means of anovel and improved character for driving the screen in a manner whereby frictional resistance is substantially eliminated and the machine runs smoothly with a minimum of wear and tear.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which, by changing of the rotary screemrmay be employed not only as a separator for the grain but for a grader and more especially in the grading of corn.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character including a hopper adapted to discharge upon an associated screening element and wherein novel andimproved means are provided to assure the desired flow of the grain from the hopper to the screening element together with additional 'means for regulating or controlling such flow.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my 1mproved fanning mill whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. 1

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the .fan F includes better understood, I will now proceed to descrlbe the same with reference to .the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a fannmg mill constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is also an elevational view of my improved mill as herein disclosed but of the side opposite to that illustrated in Figure 1 I Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through my improved mill as herein disclosed; I V t Figure l is afragmentary view partly in vertical sect-ion and partly in elevation of the hopper as herein embodied;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the chute, the adjacent portion of the hopper being in section;

Figure 6 1s a fragmentary view in perspective of the shield or guard arranged within the hopper;

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of the discharge end of the mill;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the driving connection for the separating element;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken longitudinally of the trough within one of the bins, the associated conveyer being in elevation;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken longitudinally of the screening element and at the receiving end portion thereof; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary t ansverse sectional view taken through an eleme t adapted for use in grading orn or the like.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, H denotes a housing of requisite dimensions and which has one end open and having itsoopposite end portion formed to provide a casing 1 for the fan F. The

a shaft 2 rotatably supported by the side walls 3 of the housing H and extending outwardly therefrom. One end portion of the shaft 2 is provided with a pinion 4 meshing with a relatively large gear 5 so that upon rotation of said gear 5; the fan F will be rotated at a rela tively high speed. The gear 5 may be driven in any desired manner and as the driving means for this gear forms no part of the present invention, a description an illustration thereof are believed to be unnecessary.

Disposed transversely of the housing H and bridging the space between the side walls 3 thereof is a beam or member 6. This beam or member 6 is positioned at the top portion of the housing H and has each of its end portions seating within a bracket 7 so that said beam or member 6 may be readily removed or applied as the occasions of practice may necessitate.

Supported by the housing H between the beam. or member 6 and the adjacent end portion 8 of the housing H is a hopper A, said hopper being substantially V-shaped in section in a direction lengthwise of the housing H. The hopper A, when applied, is further supported by the suitably inclined plates or shoulders 9 carried by the side walls 3 of the housing H.

The central portion of the forward wall 10 of the applied hopper at the bottom there of'is provided with a discharge opening 11 opening into the downwardly and forwardly inclined chute C, said chute including the upstanding side walls 12. Coacting withthe discharge opening 11 of the hopper A is a slide valve 14 providing means whereby the flow of the grain through said opening 11 may be regulated or controlled.

The valve 14 is provided with an upstanding extension 15 slidably engaged within a guideway 16. The outer or free end portion of said extension 15 carries a rack 17 disposed longitudinally thereof and with which meshes a pinion 18. The pinion 18 is fixed to a shaft 19 rotatably supported by the suitably spaced bearings 20 and said shaft is provided with an angularly disposed extension or arm 21 providing an op erating member whereby the shaft 19 may be rocked in direction to impart the de sired movementto the valve 14.

' Also coacting with the rack 17 is a resilient dog or paw. 22 whereby the valve 14 is held in its different adjusted positions.

This dog or pawl, however, otfersno resistance obstruction to the desired move ment of the valve 14 upon rocking or par tial rotation of the shaft 19.

The side walls 12 of the chute C at a point in close proximity to the hopper A are provided with the transversely aligned open and arcuate slots 23 which are adapted to receive the opposite end portions of a shaft 2 extending outwardly of said side members 12 and adapted to be driven in a manner to be hereinafter more particularly re ferred to.- Carried by the shaft 24 and sub stantially bridging the space between the side walls or members 12 are the blades 25 which, as the shaft 24 rotates, serve as a feeder to facilitate the flow of the grain along the chute C. 2

Connecting the upper marginal portions of the side members or walls 12 of the chute C forwardly of the shaft 24 and the feeding blades carried. thereby is a cross mem ber 26. Pivotally engaged with said cross member 26 are the oppositely directed arms 27, the pivotal mountings 28 for said arms being inwardly of the inner ends thereof. The inner ends of said arms 27 are provided with the iutermeshing teeth 29 whereby said arms are caused to rock in unison and in the same direction.

The outer end portions of the arms 27 extend outwardly of the side walls or members 12 and operatively engaged with said extended portions of the arms 27 and the extended portions of the shaft 24: are the links 30. Coacting with one extended portion of the shaft 24: is a spring element 31 which serves to constantly urge the shaft 24 inwardly of the slots 23.

In the event any foreign substance should pass through the discharge opening 11 of a size or character to interfere with the requisite rotation of the blades 25, the shaft. 24 will move outwardly without interfering with the desired rotation thereof. The curvature of the slots 23 is such that as the shaft 24: is moved outwardly, the same will be lifted'upwardly so that the blades 25 will be raised a distance suflicient to permit said foreign substance to pass therebelow. As soon as this substance or obstruction has :sed the blades the spring element 31 .ill operate to effect an automatic return of the shaft 24 to its normal position at the inner or closed ends of the slots 23.

Pivoted substantially midway its ends, as at 33. to the rear wall. 34 of the applied hopper A is an elongated arm or'rod 35, the lower end portion of which has aiiixed thereto a cross head 36. The cross head 36 is in relatively close proximity to the discharge opening 11 and has extending outwardly therefrom on an incline toward the forward wall 10 of the hopper A the tines 37. said tines being of a length to terminate at a point close to the forward wall 10 above the opening 11. tral portions are formed to provide downwardly disposed extensions or arms 38 while the central tines 37 are formed to provide the upwa dly extending arms 39. These tines 37 and the depending arms 38 provide a shield or guard to minimize the passage of foreign substances or obstructions passing through the opening 11 and said tines 37. together with the arms 38 and 39.. also provide means to agitate the grain immediately adjacent the opening 3 to facilitate the discharge of said grain through said openmg.

The agitating function of the tines 37 is accomplished upon rocking movement of the arm or rod and, as herein disclosed, the upper end portion of said arm or rod 35 is The end tine 37 at their cen-' provided with an angular extension 40 which is disposed through a slot '41 in the rear wall 34 of the hopper A. 7

Operatively engaged with the portion of this extension 40 exeriorly of the hopper A is an end portion of a rod 42, said rod extending transversely of the housing H and having its opposite end portion operatively engaged with the free end portion of an arm a of a bell crank lever 43. The free end portion of the second arm I) of this lever 43 has operatively engaged therewith an end portion of a rod 44.

The opposite end portion of the rod 44 is operatively engaged with a pulley" 45 so that, as the pulley 45 is rotated, the resultant swinging movement of the bell crank'lever 43 will reciprocate the rod 42 whereby the arm or rod 35 is rocked, resulting" in the desired functioning of the tines 37 and the arms 38 and 39 carried thereb'y. In order that the grain within the hopper will ofier no obstruct-ion to the desired rockingmovement of the arm or rod 35', '1 'enclose the same within a hood or casing 46 fixed to the rear wall 34'of'the hopper A, the lower-face of said hood or casingi 46 being open." The cross head 36 is immediately adjacent the open end of the hood or casing 46 and the top plate'47 or casing is extended to overlie said cross head. i fThe pulley 45 is fixed to" an end'portion of a shaft48 rotatably supported by and extending through'a side wall 3 of the housing H. This shaft 48 extends inwardly of the housing H and to said inner portion is fixed a pinion 49 which, when the-hopper A is applied, meshes with a pinion 50 fixed to an extended end port-ion of theshaft 24 hereinbefore referred to so that, as {the pulley 45 is rotated, said shaft 24Qand't-he blades carried thereby will be properly driven. l

denotes anelongated-cylindrical screening element having its opposite ends open and its peripheral wall foraminated, the openings 51 being arranged in'a"pluralityof series, said series being spaced apart in a direction circumferentially of the element S with adjacent series'in relatively close'proximity one to the other. The openingsofeach series for a slight distanceinwardly from the inner or' receiving end of the elements S are restricted or'of materially less diameter than the remaining openings of the series. These smaller openings permit the discharge ofweed seeds or other minute matter separated from the grain as delivered within the element'S from the hopper A.

' Disposed axially of the elementS is' a shaft 52 andthe element S is fixed t'osaid shaft through the medium' of the internal spiders 53. The shaft 52 has one end portion terminating'inwardly of'the receiving of said hood end ;of the element S and its opposite end portion terminating beyond the outer or discharge end of the element S.

Depending from the central portion of 7 the beam or member 6 is an arm 54, the lower portion of said arm being outwardly ofiset to extend within the receiving end of the element S so that said arm can serve asva' bearing for the adjacent end portion of the shaft 52. The opposite 'or extended end portion of the shaftv52 is received within a bearing 55 carried by a beam 56; One end portion of the beam 56 is pivotally engaged, as at 57, with the free or outer edge face of a sidewall 3 of the housing H, while the opposite end portion of said arm is freely received within a bracket '58 carried by the outer edge face of the second side wall 3 of the housing H. The upper portion of the bracket 58" has associated, therewith a removable member or pin 59 'so-that the free end portion of the beam 56 may be readily positioned within said bracket and held against displacement. The member or pin 59 is so positionedto permit the beam 56 to have/vertical swinging movement so that the screening element S may be vibrated and .particularly'in a manner toedislodge any grainor other mat ter which may seat within any of the openings" 51 and which'would otherwise clog said element.

The receiving end portion of the element S is provided with an internal annular member 60 to which" the peripheral wall of the element S is secured. This annular member comprises a face gear with which meshes, when the element S is 'applied,a gear 61 fixed to the shaft 48' so'that as said shaft 48-is driven,- the element S is rotated. It has been fully demonstrated in practice that by use'of the face gear'60, the element S is driven with a minimum 'of frictional resistance and the machine in its entirety runs or operates smoothlywithaminimum of wear and tear.

. The bottom ofthe'housing H underlying the applied screening element Sris of acon struction to provide a pair .of longitudinally spaced bins 62 and. 63 each substantially-V shaped in-cross section. The bin 62 underliesthe portion of the element S provided with the restricted openings'51 so that the weed seeds or the like which are discharged through said restricted openings will be re ceived therein. The lower portion of said bin 62 is open so that the seeds orthe' like received therein will be dischargedwithin a removable drawer 64 or other container positione'd. thereb'elow." The bin 63 underlies the larger openings 51 and the seed of the grain passes therethroughv The lower portion of this 'bin 63 is provided with a trough 65 discharging at one side of the housingH.

Disposed lengthwise of the trough 65 i a shaft 66 supported adjacent each of its ends by a bearing 67. Carried by the'shaft 66 and substantially bridging the space between the side walls 3 of the housing H is a Spiral conveyer 68 which, as the shaft 66 is rotated, serves to carry the grain received within the bin 63 to the delivery end of the trough 65. The delivery end of the trough is provided with a spout 69 or the like to facilitate the discharge of the grain within a sack, boXor other container.

One end portion of the shaft 66 extends beyond one side of the housing H and to said extended portion is fixed a pulley 70. Passing around the pulley 70 is anendle'ss belt 71 which also passes over the pulley 45. The belt is also disposed around a pulley 72 fixed to an extended end portion of the fan shaft 2. By means of this belt 71, the pulleys 45 and 70 are driven from the shaft 2. The belt 71 at a point in close proX'imit-y'to the pulley 7 2 is crossed so that the shaft 66 and the conveyer 68 will be rotated in the desired direction. Coactin'g with one of thestretchesof the belt-71, preferably the lower stretch. is a tightener 73;

' The shaft 66 also has an "end portionextending beyond the delivery opening of the trough 65 and fined to said extended portion is a worm'74: meshing with a worm" gear '1' 5. This worm gear 75 is fixed to the lower end portion of an upwardly andforwardly in'clined'sliaft 7 6rotatably supported by the adjacent side wall3 of the housing HJ The upper end portion of the shaft '7 6 has fixed thereto a cam member 77, the periphery of which is spiroidal in form to provide a radially disposed shoulder 7 8 connecting the high a'ndlow points of the cam.

The free end' portion of the beam 56 rests "upon the periphery of the cam" member 77 and as they shaft 76 rotates; the beam 56 will be gradually raised until it passes the high point of the cam member whereupon 'sa'id beam 56 will drop abruptly. These movements of the beam 56ers transmitted to the "grinding element s whereby thesame is effectively vibrated for the" purpose hereinbefore referred to. v p 7 It isto be noted thatthe inner wall of the element g at its delivery end is free and 'inobstructed so thatthe tailings may readily pass therefrom.

It will also be understood that while the machine is in operation. thev fan F" will create a draft of air which will'ser ve effectivelyto blow the chaff out through theopen end of the housing To assure an eifecti've draft or, blast of air from the fan F, the portion 79 of the housing H immediately below the fan F is disposed'on adownward incline in a direction away from'th'e bin 62 and toward theadjacent'end of tlie' hous- W h en it 15 desired to employ my improved device "for the grading ofcorn, the element '13 'is employed andwhich is supported within the machine anddriven in the same manner ashas "been hereinbefore set forth with respect to the element S. The peripheral wall of the element B is provided with the longitudinally disposed corrugations 80 substantially V-shaped in cross section with adjacent corrugations in immediate proximity. The outeror apex portion of each of the corrugations 80 is provided with a series of' openings 81, the openings 81 above the bin 62 being smaller thanthe openings above thebin 63.

As the corn is discharged within the hopper from the'chute C, the corrugations 80 provide grooves which cause the corn kernelstostand erect so that the passage of said'flrernels through the openings 81 is assured.

While clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it' is to be stated that the chuteC is of a length'to extend within the receiving end of the element S orthe element B so that the desireddischarge of grain thereinis assured.

From the foregoing description zit is thought to be 'obvious-thata fanning ,mill constructed in accordance. with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by "reason of the convenience "and facility with which it may be assembled and operated,

'and it'will also be obvious'that my inventlonis'susceptibl'e of some 'changei and modlfication without departing from the prin- 1.

ciples and spirit thereof -andfor this reason'I do .not'wish tobe understood as limitingmyself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown cent as hereinafter claimed;

I claiInr r 1-."Ini a "fanning milLbear'ingmeans carried by the casing. a bar pivoted at one end on the front of thecasing and extending entirely thereacross. a shaft journaled in said bearing: meansand said" bar and carryinga sieve, a shaft journale'd eXteriorly of the casing and having one end carrying a cam engaging said bar for oscillating the same, and means for'simultaneously rotating'looth'of said shafts.

'2: Inafanning mill. acasing containing sifting means andfequipped'with means for in carrying out my invention in practice exproduci'ng blast 'therethrough; a: feed 'hopangle lever pivot-ally mounted-w having one end connected with said arm, a rotary element and a link eccentrically connected with the rotary element and connected with the other arm of the angle lever.

3. In a fanning mill, a casing containing sifting means and blast producing means, a hopper on the casing for feeding material into the sifting means, feed means operating within the hopper and a guard for obstructing passage of foreign matter from the hopper, said guard comprising a rotatably mounted member carrying fingers of angular formation, and an operative connection with a drive element for rocking said member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

GOTTFRIED SCHICK. 

